{"id":17794,"date":"2024-05-02T15:19:44","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T21:19:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/?post_type=newsletters&p=17794"},"modified":"2025-11-18T15:41:49","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T22:41:49","slug":"cooking-with-an-air-fryer","status":"publish","type":"newsletters","link":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/newsletters\/cooking-with-an-air-fryer\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooking with an Air Fryer"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Air fryers cook by convection cooking; this is when extremely hot air is circulated around the food. Much like a stovetop burner, a heating element is situated above the food, and a fan rapidly moves the air around the food. The operator\u2019s manual can help you learn more about how the air fryer works.<\/p>

Food comes out crispy on the outside while tender and moist inside. Air fryers are a healthier alternative to conventional frying as they use very little or no oil during cooking.<\/p>

Consider the food safety guidelines when using these appliances. Caution should be used not to overfill the trays or basket as foods will not reach the proper temperature or cook evenly. If overfilled, the browning process will be interfered with.<\/p>

To ensure the safety of poultry, meat, and egg products when air frying, a food thermometer must be used. In the thickest part of the food, place the food thermometer, making sure not to touch bone, fat, or gristle. Check to make sure the food has reached the correct temperature.<\/p>

It is important to properly clean the air fryer basket\/tray after each use. Small burnt bits of food and residual oil will increase the chance of a fire inside the basket. In addition, clean the coils and the surrounding area inside the hull of the fryer and above the basket.<\/p>

Here are some useful tips and tricks to ensure that your air-fried food comes out perfectly each and every time. Follow these guidelines, and you\u2019ll see why so many home cooks are raving about their air fryers.<\/p>

Setup<\/strong><\/p>

Ensure there is plenty of space around the sides of the air fryer. The appliance\u2019s instruction manual will show you how much space is needed to operate safely. To avoid heat damage, place the air fryer on a silicone trivet, heat-resistant board, or mat.<\/p>

Preheat<\/strong><\/p>

Before it\u2019s ready to start cooking, an air fryer needs time to preheat. Preheating means the food will cook much faster than it would if you didn\u2019t. It\u2019ll probably take slightly longer for food to finish cooking if you don\u2019t preheat, even though some air fryers don\u2019t require preheating.<\/p>

Dry Food<\/strong><\/p>

Before putting food in the fryer, pat it dry. The drier the food, the crispier it\u2019ll be when done cooking.<\/p>

Avoid cooking higher fat content foods, such as bacon, in an air fryer. It can start smoking when cooking due to the excess fat.<\/p>

Oil<\/strong><\/p>

Air fryers do need a little oil to make food crispy. Evenly coat the food with a small amount of oil (around a tablespoon or less), then add it to the basket. You can use a nonstick cooking spray, such as avocado oil, which has a high smoke point and is a healthier oil.<\/p>

Overcrowding<\/strong><\/p>

Overcrowding the air fryer basket is always bad, especially if you\u2019re going for that crispy, crunchy texture. The air doesn\u2019t get a chance to circulate properly, and the food won\u2019t cook evenly. Adding too much food will cause it to steam instead of fry. Your best bet is to fry food in batches.<\/p>

Meat<\/strong><\/p>

It\u2019s important to place meat in a single layer in the air fryer. Brush meats with a bit of oil before seasoning. Canola or vegetable oil is recommended due to its higher smoke point and ability to withstand the high heat of an air fryer.<\/p>

No Wet Batters\/Coatings<\/strong><\/p>

Don\u2019t use wet coatings or batters. The coating will splatter from the circulating fan all over the inside of the air fryer. Instead, use a breadcrumb crust. Dredge the food in flour, raw beaten egg, and then breadcrumbs; spray oil on the breadcrumbs liberally so they are weighed down on the food; this keeps it from flying around.<\/p>

Fry and Stir<\/strong><\/p>

Set the food to cook for the time indicated. Most instructions call for stirring the food halfway through cooking, flipping the food, or giving the basket a shake halfway through.<\/p>

Cooking times can vary. Always check on the food to make sure it is not overcooking.<\/p>

Never Leave Unattended<\/strong><\/p>

When in use, never leave the air fryer unattended. Air fryers work quickly; therefore, the food inside can burn, so you should stay near the fryer while it is cooking so you can react quickly to any issues.<\/p>

Cleanup<\/strong><\/p>

Oil combined with the food\u2019s juices, marinades, and seasonings can make a mess in the air fryer. Lining the bottom of the air fryer\u2019s basket with foil means less cleanup. This is especially useful when cooking something with spices or sauce that would drip and fly around the machine.<\/p>

Don\u2019t use harsh metal scouring pads to clean the racks or air fryer basket. To safely clean dirt racks and baskets, soak them in hot, soapy water for about 20 minutes.<\/p>

Unplug<\/strong><\/p>

Don\u2019t leave the air fryer plugged in when not in use. You never know if a button was accidentally bumped on the air fryer.<\/p>

The air fryer appliance is very versatile, so put it to work. An air fryer can cook almost anything you\u2019d typically bake in the oven.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Written by Vicki Hayman, MS, University of Wyoming Extension Nutrition and Food Safety Educator<\/p>

Sources:<\/p>

  • www.goodhousekeeping.com<\/li>
  • www.tastingtable.com<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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